Sheriff’s detectives arrest man for murder of missing woman

Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office detectives have arrested a local man for the murder of a woman reported missing in the Montague area on Oct. 5.

Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office reported the following:

Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office detectives have arrested a local man for the murder of a woman reported missing in the Montague area on Oct. 5. On Oct. 10, the SCSO’s Major Crimes Unit investigators found a body of a female adult in a remote area of the county and later positively identified her as Katrina Leigh Eblen, 24, of Montague.

According to a family member, Eblen was last seen at about 11 p.m. on Oct. 3, in the Montague area. After a SCSO deputy took the initial missing person’s report on Oct. 5, SCSO’s MCU detectives began an exhaustive investigation into Eblen’s disappearance and developed a series of investigative leads that led them to an area where Eblen’s body was suspected to be hidden. During the MCU’s investigation, a person of interest, Jere Thomas Ramey, 26, of Montague, was identified and interviewed by detectives. After Eblen’s body was recovered and positively identified, Ramey was located and questioned by detectives. Ramey was subsequently arrested on Oct. 10, at 6:41 p.m., for the murder of Eblen. Ramey was booked by SCSO detectives at the Siskiyou County Jail in Yreka. Ramey is being held on the murder charge with bail set at $1,000,000. He will be arraigned for the murder charge within the next 48 hours.

According to Sheriff Jon Lopey, “A forensic autopsy will be conducted this week to help investigators determine the cause and manner of death in this case. I would like to take this opportunity to thank SCSO’s MCU investigators, our forensic technician, and Chief Deputy Coroner for working tirelessly and rapidly to resolve the preliminary stage of this major case. The SCSO’s Search and Rescue Team, its Coordinator, and SAR volunteers also assisted with the remote search, playing a vital on-scene role. The Siskiyou County District Attorney’s Office also provided support. On behalf of the men and women of the Department, I would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to the victim, her family, friends, and especially her children in the aftermath of her tragic death. This case is still under investigation and anyone with information about Katrina’s disappearance or recent activities is urged to contact the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office 24-hour Dispatch Center at (530) 841-2900.”

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.